Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been working hard to help open up an export route for Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. But as he wins plaudits for this key mediating role, his nation is struggling with soaring inflation and a cost of living crisis. Andrew England, standing in for Gideon, talks to Asli Aydıntaşbaş of the European Council on Foreign Relations and Laura Pitel, the FT's Turkey correspondent, about what’s motivating Erdoğan.

Want to read more?

Erdoğan is an infuriating but indispensable ally

Ukraine grain deal and Syria top agenda for Putin’s talks with Iran and Turkey

Fruit becomes a luxury in Erdoğan’s Turkey as inflation threatens re-election bid

Ukraine warns that only lifting Black Sea blockade can avert global food crisis

Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.

Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design by Breen Turner

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Turkey help end the Ukraine grain crisis? 23:25 Share

The Rachman Review

Shownotes Transcript

Can Turkey help end the Ukraine grain crisis?